What’s Up With ‘Grounding’ Shoes? We Tested New Pluggz Flip Flops

So you guys know that flip flops are inherently pretty unhealthy, right? Well, there's a new line of 'em that claim to actually be healthy; these shoes' claim to fame is that they "ground" you to the natural environment, freeing up the flow of electrons between your body and the Earth. I mean....OK. Needless to say, I kinda wanted to see what the heck these were all about.

This brand, Pluggz, makes flip flops and ballet flats — really cute ones, at that, designed to “ground.” But what makes them special (and supposedly worth their price tags, $39 and $129, respectively) are specifically the “proprietary black plugs made from a custom formulated, carbon and rubber compound” right under the ball of the foot. Apparently, they “ensure the actual electrical contact between us and the Earth and conducts a flow of free electrons from the Earth into our bodies when we make direct contact with the Earth. It’s just like when we go barefoot.”

I know that being outdoors is good for you, but I was totally unfamiliar with this theory of “grounding” or “Earthing.” So I did some research: There are a few medical professionals out there who believe that we need regular contact with the ground in order to maintain a natural flow of current in our bodies. The fact that we wear insulating shoes and spend most of our time indoors is preventing us from achieving this, they say, contributing to free-radical build up in our bodies, along with chronic inflammation and disease.

SELF‘s doctor on call, Henry Lodge, MD, is not one of those medical professionals. “There is no scientific evidence that the body has too much electricity or that touching the ground is going to alter that balance.” As for these shoes? “I applaud them for their brilliant marketing effort, but it’s complete nonsense.”

Pluggz says that some people feel a slight tingle while wearing their shoes; others feel nothing. I’m in the latter group, and the supposed benefits — fewer aches and pains; more energy — are harder to pinpoint. I really want to love these (Did I mention the flats are really cute?), and they are quite comfy — so I’ll continue wearing them, just in case they’re actually doing something I can’t quite understand.

As far as cute flats and flops go, I give these two thumbs (big toes?) up. In terms of any greater benefit, I have yet to be convinced. Dr. Lodge says if you really are into the whole grounding thing, you’re better off just going barefoot once and a while. I’m taking that as my prescription for a little beach time, stat.